sometimes you just HAVE to get tough

The wording in this “last chance” letter is EXTREMELY effective.

To be most effective …
1   Send it Registered Mail and
2   Send it as a pdf attachment in an email which simply says
“The attached file is self-explanatory“

Say nothing else. (curiosity – it’ll make sure that the attachment IS opened.)
The language used is also very “matter of fact” which has much more impact than anything perceived to be “heavy”.

It’s also effective for these other factors in play …

• It starts out simply stating “the facts”.
• It blames something else – “the records”.
• It’s sent by Registered Mail.
• It has an unusual deadline.
• It explains that no payment now = more owing and that his credit rating will be badly affected

Dear Mr Jones,

Account records indicate that ..
* There is a balance of $1,200 outstanding to the practice. (Invoice No: 17360, dated 11/09/2012)
* Several reminders have been sent to you and phone messages left.
* You have not responded to any.

This letter has been sent to you by Registered Mail so that we can be sure that you receive one final opportunity to settle the amount due before legal proceedings get underway. If you decide not to respond to this letter that will be the only alternative left to us. And that is what will be done.

Please be quite clear that if the balance remains unpaid and we have not heard from you by 2.00pm of Thursday, 13 December we will instruct our solicitors to start proceedings on our behalf without any further notice to you.

This will incur additional costs (process server charges, legal costs, interest …) for which you may also become liable, as well as judgment against you being noted on the public record which will affect your ability to obtain credit for a period of up to five (5) years.

Please be assured that your responsibility to pay your debt will not go away by ignoring this letter. I now leave the future course of this matter entirely up to you.